Thursday, 18 August 2016

The team behind the construction of a new £3.7m fire station in Nottingham has handed over the development to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Following a year-long building project on site, contractor J Tomlinson has completed work on the three-storey building in London Road, which will use less than a quarter of the energy of the fire station it is replacing - significantly reducing carbon emissions.

The development of the new fire station has been a Nottinghamshire project from start to finish, involving a number of key Nottingham companies.

It was designed by city architects CPMG, constructed by Nottingham-based J Tomlinson, and project managed by CPMG’s client, the Nottingham office of Turner & Townsend. Structural engineer Curtins and mechanical and electrical consultants Couch Perry Wilkes from the city also played key roles in the development, which houses three fire engine bays, modern training facilities, including a tower, and office space for Nottingham City Council’s Emergency Planning Team.

The new fire station will replace the iconic Central Fire Station which has served the city centre and surrounding area since the 1940s.

Built to significantly exceed efficiency standards through the use of smart lighting, insulation, and solar panels on the roof, it is also linked to the Nottingham City District Heating System, whichprovides a low carbon fuel source to homes and businesses in the city using energy recovered from waste.

It has been designed so that heating in the appliance bay will automatically cut out when the appliance bay doors are open.

Martin Gallagher, construction managing director for J Tomlinson, said: “J Tomlinson works on construction projects across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, but it is always pleasing to be involved in a high-profile project in our home city of Nottingham, especially when it is something as important for the community as a new fire station.

“The year-long build has gone smoothly and to plan, and we are delighted and proud to have handed over a new, state-of-the-art facility to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service on time and on budget.”

Aiden Bell, architect for CPMG, said: “As a Nottingham-based firm, the London Road Fire Station is clearly a project close to our hearts and one which we’re delighted to have designed. The three-storey building complements the city’s south side regeneration plans and meets the needs of a modern emergency service, fit for the future.

“As well as providing vital services to the people of Nottingham, the building’s energy efficient features will save the fire service money and will provide state-of-the-art facilities for training and our firefighters.”

Peter Orton, director, Turner & Townsend Nottingham, said: “Being involved in this project is something we’re immensely proud of. We have been involved since 2013. Throughout this time, we have worked closely with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, acting as lead consultant and providing project management, cost management and design services. It’s exciting to now see this state-of-the-art facility come to life.”

Councillor Darrel Pulk, chair of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “London Road Fire Station has been purpose built for a modern fire service and I am delighted that the project has been delivered on time and to a high specification.

“I am looking forward to the next phase of the project which will see fire crews from Nottingham’s Central Fire Station rehome here in early September before the station’s official opening.

“The new station has been built to significantly exceed efficiency standards through the use of smart lighting, insulation and solar panels and I am pleased that handover has been completed and accepted which means that the final stages of the project can begin.”

The London Road fire station has been built in collaboration with Nottingham City Council.

Derbyshire farm shop Croots has scored success with its home-made Derbyshire Pasty after it was highly commended in the 2016 Great British Food Awards.

Croots Derbyshire Pasty, made from local beef, potato, swede and onion, was highly commended in the Savoury Pies and Pastries category of the awards, run by national magazineGreat British Food.

It’s the second time that the farm shop near Duffield has won an accolade in the magazine’s awards, while flying the flag for Derbyshire food at the same time. Last year, Croots Bakewell Tart was named as the top sweet bake in the same competition.

Steve Croot, who runs the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, with wife Kay, said: “We’re chuffed to have added another accolade to our collection of awards. Croots Derbyshire Pasty is a local twist on the famous Cornish Pasty, but of course is made with local ingredients.

“It’s very popular with our customers and we’re delighted to hear that the judges rated the pasty highly too.”

Last month Croots struck gold with its rump steak, winning an accolade in the Great Taste Awards 2016. Overall, the shop has won more than 100 awards for its products.

Croots Farm Shop will receive a name-check for its latest commendation in the October issue ofGreat British Food,on sale September 2nd 2016.

It is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

Thursday, 11 August 2016

Focus Consultants has played a key role in the opening of a Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) exhibition dedicated to the most influential engineer of the 20th Century.

Revealing the untold design stories behind some of the world’s most famous buildings, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, to recent projects such as Crossrail, the exhibition is the first ever major retrospective on Ove Arup (1895-1988).

Engineering the World: Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design is part of the V&A Engineering Season and is one of the most ambitious exhibitions that Focus has completed at the V&A, incorporating a bespoke mezzanine and stairlift structure, said Focus partner Eleanor Clarke.

It is the fourth exhibition that the Nottingham-based company has worked on at the V&A in London this year alone, and follows Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear, which charted the history of underwear from the 18th century to today, Paul Strand: Photography and Film for the 20th Century and Botticelli Reimagined.

It opened just before the V&A was named the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2016, recognising the outstanding innovation, imagination and achievements of the museum throughout the preceding year.

Focus was project manager, quantity surveyor and contract administrator for the Ove Arup exhibition, which runs until 6 November.

“Focus has been proud to have worked with the V&A on a range of exciting and informative exhibitions since 2014, reflecting our expertise in this sector,” said Eleanor. “This latest exhibition, dedicated to the work of the influential engineer Ove Arup, has been particularly ambitious and we hope visitors will enjoy the experience.

“We’re absolutely delighted to hear that the V&A Museum has recently been named as the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2016, and are so proud to have played a role in helping to provide such a rich visitor experience at this wonderful museum.”

The design and build of the Ove Arup exhibition has been project managed by the London office of East Midlands-based Focus, which opened five years ago in response to demand for its services, particularly in the museum, arts and heritage sector.

Focus, which has its headquarters at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, as well as offices in London, Leicester, and Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire, specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages and delivering high quality projects across the UK. Since its creation in 1994, Focus has helped to secure more than £953 million of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful companies of its kind.

It has worked with virtually all the major museums in London, and many across the UK, providing support for capital projects, permanent and temporary exhibitions, and renovation schemes - developing and delivering award-winning heritage projects.

Monday, 8 August 2016

Derbyshire farm shop
Croots is celebrating Afternoon Tea Week by launching something special for
children, which will have them grinning like a Cheshire cat.

The farm shop near
Duffield is offering Mad Hatter’s tea party-themed afternoon teas for
youngsters and will be donating £1 from each tea purchased to its adopted
charity, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre.

During Afternoon Tea
Week, which runs from 8th to 14th August, Croots has an
offer on its adult teas – two for £20. On Wednesday 10th August it
will offer special teas for children from 3pm which are themed around the
famous Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s
tea party.

The children’s teas,
which will also be available on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th
August, and on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the rest of August to
coincide with the children’s craft activities being run at Croots, feature a
tasty range of ‘eat me’ and ‘drink me’ items.

Youngsters are being
invited to take along their favourite teddy or doll and enjoy a cream tea in a
special area of Shires Eatery at Croots which is being decorated with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

“As it’s Afternoon Tea
Week, we thought it would be great fun to do something special for the children
and at the same time raise some money for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre,
which provides holidays for local youngsters who are going through tough
times,” said Kay Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop at Farnah House Farm,
Wirksworth Road, with husband Steve.

“The Mad Hatter’s tea
party-themed afternoon teas will begin on Wednesday 10th August during
Afternoon Tea Week but we’ll carry on serving them Mondays to Wednesdays for
the rest of August to coincide with the children’s craft activities that we’ve
got planned. We imagine that our younger visitors will take part in the craft
activities, have a bit of a play in our play area and will be keen to tuck into
the delicious afternoon teas that our team in Shires Eatery have created.”

The children’s
afternoon tea features a selection of sandwiches, crudités, fruit kebabs dipped
in chocolate, ice cream cupcakes, Bakewell tart, lemon sponge and milkshake. For
each £10.95 tea sold, £1 will be donated to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday
Centre charity.

Croots Farm Shop is
open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from
10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on
Thursdays.

Friday, 5 August 2016

Sausage champions at Derbyshire farm shop Croots have created a special Rio Sausage in recognition of the upcoming Summer Olympic Games and to raise money for charity.

Some 10% from the sale of the chicken and salsa sausages will be donated to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre – the adopted charity of the farm shop, which is based in Wirksworth Road, near Duffield.

Croots is renowned for designing special sausages to mark sporting occasions and has previously raised money for charity with its ‘Olympig’ sausages. It has also won numerous awards for its bangers, including Great Taste Awards, which are regarded as the Oscars of the fine food industry.

“Our butchers love designing new and interesting flavours for sausages, and decided to opt for a chicken and salsa flavoured one to celebrate the Rio Summer Olympic Games. It’s got quite a kick to it,” said Steve Croot, who runs the farm shop with wife Kay.

“If our past experiences are anything to go by, our customers will really get behind this latest fund-raising effort and support our adopted charity, which is this year celebrating 125 years of helping the children of Derbyshire.”

The holiday centre, which provides Derbyshire children experiencing difficult times at home with a week-long holiday in Skegness, Lincolnshire, has been the adopted charity of Croots Farm Shop for a number of years now.

Priced £8.99 a kilo, the charity sausages will be on sale at Croots throughout the Olympic Games in Rio, which has its opening ceremony on Friday August 5th.

Croots Farm Shop was opened more than eight years ago and is run by Steve and Kay Croot at Farnah House Farm, the farm owned by Kay’s parents Jim and Sue Yates.

It is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

Thursday, 4 August 2016

Focus Consultants has been appointed to project manage a key scheme for Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

The company is spearheading the development of a new sexual assault referral centre (SARC) being created at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, near Huntingdon.

The contract was awarded via the Eastern Shires Purchasing Framework and is the latest ‘blue light’ scheme that Nottingham-based Focus Consultants has been appointed on.

Work is due to get on site shortly at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and involves refurbishing a formerhospitalward to create a special unit for investigating sexual assaults in a joint project for the police and the NHS. The one-storey building is undergoing a complete re-fit, with the installation of special areas for adults and children, as well as counselling rooms, lounges and showering facilities.

The project representsan £850,000investment.

Focus, which has its headquarters at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and offices in Leicester, London, and Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire, is project managing the scheme, as well as providing building surveying and design services.

Partner at Focus Consultants Keith Butler said: “This project requires specialist skills, due to the sensitive nature of the work that will be undertaken there. Focus is very pleased to be taking such an important role in this improvement and redevelopment for the police in Cambridgeshire, which is the latest in a number of projects we have been involved in for the emergency services.”

Focus offers a range of services to the property and construction industry, including building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, and sustainable development support.

The company also specialises in funding and economic development including area regeneration strategies, funding applications, economic impact appraisals, business plans, and research and evaluation. Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

Monday, 1 August 2016

Derbyshire farm shop
Croots has struck gold with its rump steak, winning an accolade in the Great
Taste Awards 2016.

The rump steak won a
gold star in the annual awards, which are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fine
food and drink sector.

It is the 13th
Great Taste Award presented to Croots Farm Shop, which is based at Farnah House
Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, and the latest of more than 100 different
awards the shop has achieved for its products.

The judges described
the rump steak as “a generous and plump looking steak with a pleasant beef
flavour and good marbling. A good depth of flavour which would benefit even
more from longer ageing.”

Croots Farm Shop owner
Steve Croot said: “The Great Taste Awards are given to the finest food and
drink products in the UK, so it’s a fantastic achievement to have won yet
another. We’ve now been awarded Great Taste Awards for a wide range of products
from our homemade Croots sloe gin to our very own muesli mix, as well as a
number of meat products like sausages, our leg of lamb and our sticky maple and
hickory belly pork.

“The Croots butchers
have built up an excellent reputation for their knowledge, skill and advice
when it comes to all things meat related, and I’m delighted that their
expertise has been recognised once again in such a high profile awards.”

Rump steak is
considered to be one of the most flavoursome of beef cuts. The Croots rump
steak is home produced at the farm.

Great Taste, organised
by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for speciality food
and drink and has been described as the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker
prize’. Products awarded one star are viewed as ‘simply delicious’.

Since 1994, more than 100,000 products have
been judged by Great Taste, blind tasted by expert judges who discuss the
merits of each product in their search for those that deserve to be championed
and given a Great Taste logo. The judges are made up of top chefs and restaurateurs,
people who run delis and farm shops, top food hall and retail buyers, acclaimed
cooks, food writers and journalists, jam and cake experts from the WI, cheese
makers and farmers.

Croots Farm Shop was
opened more than eight years ago and is run by husband and wife team Steve and
Kay Croot at the farm owned by Kay’s parents Jim and Sue Yates.

It is open Monday to
Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on
Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

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